Valve device



Dec. 25, 1945. E. E. MARTIN 2,391,583

VALVE DEVICE Filed May 2, 1944 E11/@VEST M4/erw,

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 25, 1945 VALVE DEVICE Earnest E. Martin, Redondo, Calif., assigner to Ralph Walsh, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 2, 1944, Serial No. 533,698

9 Claims.

This invention pertains to dispensing valve devices of the general type comprising a normally closed diaphragm for maintaining a fluid-tight seal, and an associated valve element operable to rupture the diaphragml and control the dis- Y and spray form of pressure ulds, notably insecticidal solutions comprising a normally gaseous, high vapor pressure duid such as dichlorodifluoromethane, commercially sold under the trade-name Freon As applied to that use, the valve device constitutes an attachment to the pressure fluid container, normally maintaining a diaphragmclosed seal adapted to be broken to permit release of the fluid under control of the valve.

In its more particular aspects, the invention comprises the general combination of a body carrying the diaphragm and containing a valve element operable to penetrate the diaphragm and control resultant escape of fluid to a discharge orilice in the body. A major object of the invention is to provide a simple form and arrangement of the named elements, capable of performing several functions, including accurate control of the form and rate of dispersal of the fluid so as to utilize most efciently and to best advantage a given quantity thereof, and to assure proper riloW conditions within the device by providing for effective filtering and pressure control of the escaping fluid.

Advertlng more to its specific form, the invention contemplates the use of a simply formed valve movable axially within the body by interengaging stem and body threads which serve the triple function of propulsion threads for advancing and retracting the valve, and of elfectively filtering and reducing the pressure of the escaping fluid by the maintenance of a predetermined restricted clearance between the threads. The arrangement of the parts is such that upon penetration of the diaphragm, the pressure fluid escapes to the discharge orifice through the threaded clearance space. Its effective area or resistance to fluid flow Ibeing greater than that of the discharge orifice, the thread clearance space is utilized to reduce the effective fluid pressure at the discharge orice suiclently below the container pressure to avoid excessive expulsion of the uid to the atmosphere and yetmaintaln a rate of discharge adequate for most eicent dispersal of the fluid particles in spray form. And as indicated, the restricted size of the thread clearance is such as to constitute an effective filter ln advance of the discharge orifice.

4For more complete understanding of all objects and details of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing illustrative of the invention in a typical and preferred form. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a general view, partly in section, showingvthe dispensing valve device applied to a pressure uid container;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-section showing the valve position before penetration of the diaphragm; and

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the valve turned down through the diaphragm and inclosed position.

As illustrative of a typical though preferred use, the valve device, generally indicated at I0, is shown to be applied to a container II filled through a suitable bottom fitting, conventionally illustrated at I2, with a high vapor pressure insecticidal composition, such as a solution of small percentages of an insecticide and vegetable oil in dichlorodiuoromethane (boiling temperature -21.7 F.).. As previously indicated, the function of the valve device I0 is normally to maintain the container sealed against the escape of fluid through the device, and at the time of use, to eiect dispersal of the insecticide in a directed and properly formed spray.

Referring to Fig. 2, the device I0 comprises a body I3 having an intermediate screw threaded bore I4,.a bottom counter-bore I5, and an upper counter-bore I6 terminating at an annular shoulder I1. The valve proper comprises a stem I8 having a knurled head I9, a reduced diameter portion 20, an intermediate threaded length 2l and an integral cylindrical surface pin 22. The valve stem carries about its reduced diameter portion 20 and in engagement with shoulder 23, a sealing ring 24 which may be made of any suitable resiliently deformable material, such as a type of rubber resistant to disintegration by the insecticidal uid. The sealing ring 24 preferably has a normal diameter somewhat larger than the diameter of bore I6, so that when inserted into the latter, the ring is radially compressed and thereby caused to maintain at all times an effective seal against the escape of uid between the body and valve.

The discharge oriilce 25 extends laterally from bore I8 through the wall of the body from a location near, and preferably adjacent shoulder I1. When the valve is turned down to a fully closed position as shown in Fig. 3. the sealing ring 2li is brought opposite the discharge orifice 26 to create an effective seal against iiuid escape therethrough. If the stem is tightened to compress the sealing ring between shoulder l1 and 28, the sealing ring rubber is displaced outwardly into the discharge orifice 25, see Fig. 3, a distance at least equal to the diameter of the orifice. In this manner, each time the valve is tightened and compressed against the sealing ring, the displacement of the ring material into the discharge oriiice serves to clean the latter by removing any foreign or clogging particles that may have accumulated in it.

A cup-shaped diaphragm 28 is snugly fitted into the counter-bore l to lit against shoulder 21, and thus normally form a closed seal against the escape of fluid from the container through the valve body. The diaphragm receives a tted metal tube 28 extending downwardly into the container Il and through which the fluid is discharged as will presently appear.

'Ihe valve body i3 initially is securedto the container Il by inverting the latter andinserting tube 28 into the diaphragm 26, as permitted by the movability of the .tube out through an opening 29 in the cavitated top portion Ila of the container. The valve body then is inserted into the containercavlty and a brass ring 30, previously placed about the tube 28, is permitted to fall within opening 29. While still inverted.

the parts are placed in an electric oven or otherwise heated to a. temperature suiliciently to melt the brass ring 30 and thereby form a braised joint between tube 28 and the diaphragm, and directly between the valve body and container as the braised metal tends to flow outwardly at lil and perhaps about the outside of the valve body.

The relationship between the diameters of the threads on the valve stem and body at 2| and ill, respectively, is such as to provide a narrow clearance or restriction between the threads suiilcient to pass the container uid from the ruptured diaphragm to the discharge orice 25. Typically, the clearance between the threads may be in the order ci' about 0.002, with the stem carrying a 1032 size V-thread. The discharge orifice typically is formed by a No. 'I4 drill, giving the orifice a diameter of 0.022 in. The effect and purpose of the clearance space between the thread are two-fold in that the restriction thus presented to the fluid escape serves eiectlvely as a lter to remove solid or foreign bodies in advance of the discharge oriilce, and to reduce the pressure of the gas at the inlet side of the orifice materially (say in the order of 40 lbs. per sq. in.) below the container pressure. The result of the pressure reduction is to avoid possible wastage of the ud that would result from an unnecessarily high pressure at the discharge orice, and yet ailord ample pressure for formation of a direct, high velocity and very nely dispersed spray.

In considering the operation of the device, assume the parts to be in the normal position and condition of Fig, 2. By turning the valve stem down into the body, the pointed end 22a of the valve pin penetrates and passes through the diaphragm 26 to the limiting position of Fig. 3 in which the sealing ring 24 is compressed against and expanded into the discharge orice 25, as

previously explained. The diaphragm 2l preferably is made of a relatively soft and duttile metal capable ot becoming displaced. without splittingl in the form of an annular projection 26a closely about the pin 22, Sumcient clearance exists between the pin and edge of the diaphragm opening to permit the escape of fluid through the diaphragm, and with a lesser degree'of restriction than that presented by the clearance space between the body and stem threads. However, the clearance between the diaphragm and penetratlng pin is suiliciently small as to constitute an effective initial filter against the passage of solid or foreign particles through the diaphragm.

When the valve stem is turned outwardly or in an opening direction from the position of Fig.

3, the ring 24 is moved out of sealing relation to l the orifice 25, permitting the discharge oi' fluid escaping to the orifice through the thread clearance. The body I3 may be counter-sunk at I4 to shorten the effective length of the oriiice 25 so. that its length will correspond substantially to its diameter, and thereby enable the displaced material of the sealing ring, when compressed as in Fig. 3, to more completely expell foreign particles from the orifice. It may be further observed that the length of the valve pin 22 may be such that its cylindrical portion will remain in the diaphragm opening in open positions of the valve, and thereby at all times maintain a filter restriction at the diaphragm.

I claim:

1. A valve device for dispensing from a container a spray of iiuid maintained therein under pressure, comprising a body having a bore, a stem having screw threads interengaging body threads in said bore, a discharge orifice extending laterally in the body from said bore and positioned so that duid released from the container escapes to the orice through a restricted spiral space between said stem and body threads.` and sealing means carried by the stem beyond the threads and operable upon axial movements of the stem to open and close said oriilce.

2. Avalve device for dispensing from a container a spray of uid maintained therein under pressure, comprising a body having a bore, a stem having screw threads interengaging body threads in said bore, and a discharge orice extending laterally in the body from said bore and positioned so that iluid released from the container escapes to the orifice through a. restricted spiral space between said stem and body threads, the fluid being restricted in flowing through said space to a greater degree than in owing through said orice, and sealing means carried by the stem beyond the threads and operable upon axial movements of the stem to open and close said orice.

3. A valve device for dispensing 'from a container a spray of fluid maintained therein under pressure, comprising a body having a bore, a dial phragm normally sealing against the escape oi fluid through said bore, a valve steni having screw threads interengaging body threads in said bore and rotatable to cause an end portion of the stem to penetrate and form an opening in said diaphragm, said end portion of the stem thereafter remaining in said diaphragm opening with substantially uniform clearance from the edge thereof in both the normal open and closed positions of the valve stem, a discharge oriice extending laterally in the body from said bore and positioned so that fluid released through said diaphragm opening escapes to the orifice through a restricted spiral space between said stem and body the container escapes through a restricted spiral space between said valve and body threads, and sealing means controllable by said stem for preventing the escape through said orifice of iluid that has passed through said spiral space.

5. A valve device for dispensing from a container a spray of fluid maintained therein under pressure, comprising a body having a bore, a rotatable stem having screw threads interengaging body threads in said bore, said device including a discharge orifice extending laterally from said bore and to which fluid released from the container escapes through a restricted spiral space between said stem and body threads, and a deformable seal ring surrounding the stem beyond said threads and controllable by the stem movements to prevent the escape through said oriiice of fluid that has passed through said spiral space.

6. A valve device of the character described comprising a body containing a threaded bore and a counter-bore at one end of the threaded bore, an annular body shoulder between said bores, a stem having threads turned into said threaded body bore, a discharge orifice extending through the wall of the body from said counter-bore, and a sealing ring surrounding the stem and adapted to be pressed by the stem against said shoulder and into sealing relatiomwith said orifice, said stem being operable to release said ring from sealing relation with the oriilce and iluld then escaping from the container through a restricted spiral space between said valve and body threads to and through the orifice.

7. A valve device of the character described comprising a body containing a threaded bore and a counter-bore at one ed of the threaded bore, an annular body shoulder between said bores, a stem having threads turned into said threaded body bore, a. discharge orifice extending through the wall of the body from a location in said counter-bore adjacent said shoulder, a sealingr ring surrounding the stem and adapted to be pressed by the stem against said shoulder into and in sealing relation with said orifice, said stem being operable to release said ring from sealing relation with the orifice and the fluid then escaping from the container to said orifice through a restricted spiralspace between said valve and body threads.

8. A valve. device of the character described comprising a body containing a threaded bore and a counter-bore at one end of the threaded bore, an annular body shoulder between said bores, a stem having threads turned into said threaded body bore, a discharge orifice extending through the Wall of the body from said counter-bore, a sealing ring surrounding the stem, an annular f shoulder on the stem and acting against said sealing ring upon advancement of the stem to press said ring against said body shoulder and into said orifice, a diaphragm in the body at the opposite end of said threaded bore, said diaphragm being penetrable by a tapered cylindrical end portion of the stem so that iiuid then flowing through the diaphragm escapes to said orifice through a restricted spiral space between said stem and body threads,l said end portion of the stem remaining within the diaphragm opening which it forms, with substantially uniform clearance from the edge of the opening in both open and closed positions of said sealing ring.

9. A valve device of the character described n comprising a body containing a threaded bore and a counter-bore at one end of the threaded bore, an annular body shoulder between said bores, a stem having threads turned into said threaded body bore, a discharge orifice extending through the wall of the body from said counter-bore, a

sealing ring surrounding the stem and adapted to be pressed by the stem against said shoulderA and in sealing engagement with said orice, a diaphragm seated against the end of a second counter-bore in the body directly at the end of said threaded body bore, said diaphragm being penetrable by the stem so that fluid then flowing through the diaphragm escapes t0 said orice through a restricted spiral space between said stem and body threads.

EARNEST E. MARTIN. 

